Update 3/9/21: U.S. Bank sent out an email today with news of these changes:
Update 3/2/21: Reader Kachun notes U.S. Bank has now changed the language to reflect these changes. “$400 annual fee, $75 annually per additional card issued” now only says “$400 annual fee”; and “…through 6/30/21, takeout, food delivery, and dining purchases are also eligible…” now shows “Get reimbursed annually for eligible travel purchases and takeout, food delivery and dining purchases.”
Original Post:
An insider tells us that U.S. Bank will soon be notifying cardholders about two positive changes on the Altitude Reserve card:
- The $325 travel credit will also work on dining, takeout, and food delivery services. This is something that was added as a temporary change for the pandemic, and will now become a permanent feature of the card.
- Authorized user cards will no longer have any fee (previously/currently there is a $75 fee for additional cards).
Both welcome additions. See our full review on the Altitude Reserve card here.
View Comments (82)
How can you check the balance remaining to hit the travel credit of $325,the online account doesnt show
Online statement
FYI, EZ Pass now has an iOS app and it allows Apple Pay as a payment method. Tolls normally don’t fall into the AR’s travel category, so another way to get yourself 3X.
I'm in emergency mode trying to trigger my $325 travel/dining credit, unused due to pandemic... I've been told two different things by two different reps - the first said that I need to trigger the credit by my anniversary date (which is tomorrow, gulp) and the second said that I just need to spend the $325 by the end of this month, which is easier to manage. I was skeptical of the end-of-month line so I asked if I could get that in writing or find it on the website somewhere, and he transferred me to a completely hopeless tech guy who got me nowhere.
So... travel credit deadline: exact anniversary date or end of month?
And related question: does a restaurant gift card work? Airline book & cancel within 24 hours?
If you see this and know the answer, please respond soon ... thanks in advance for any assistance!
Does authorized user card get a different card number and you can set a limit that is different from the main card?
AU card has the same card numbers as primary. Credit Line isn't limited per AU AFAIK.
I'm glad someone started doing that-- the actual cash back for dining. Not a lousy grubhub or ubereats statement credit/monthly credits that I'd get as a amex gold card perk. One of the reasons I dumped the card, is that those "gig economy" startups generate their revenues through these credits. they're screwing small businesses, screwing their drivers. perhaps its not always the case, but Id rather give business directly to restaurant.
do AUs get priority pass?
They do not
Well done US Bank!!!
What about 3x points for restaurants/takeout/delivery?
Does that exist and if so is that permanent also?
Still exists, but slated to end at the end June this year. After that, 1x points only.
Which is fine, because I feel like making it permanent would be likely to mean 3x mobile wallet going away.
How does the RTR work when you have remaining travel credit?
So if you have 325 credit left and buy a ticket for 500, does it use the 325 first and use points for the remaining amount?
What happens if you use points to pay for the ticket and then refund the ticket? Do the rewards go back or does the credit remain in your account?
the credit remains in your account.
And to answer the first question, you can double dip. Buy a ticket for $500, redeem 33,333 points for a $500 credit, *and* get your $325 travel credit. And on the full $500 purchase earn 3x points, so 1500 points to use later.
Yeah, this card is a great deal.
Wish they'd remove the SSN requirement for an authorized user card. Chase, BoA, and others don't have that requirement.